Police wanted to kill Karunanidhi: Maran

The Union Industry and Commerce Minister Murasoli Maran on Wednesday said that Karunanidhi's arrest was part of a 'suspected conspiracy' to eliminate the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president.

The minister said an 'extraordinary situation' was prevailing in the state and therefore an 'extraordinary remedy' in the form of invoking President's rule should be considered.

"I think it is an overall conspiracy to eliminate our leader Karunanidhi. They did not want me as a witness to their act and wanted to kill me also. This is my suspicion," he said after being discharged from the Apollo hospital.

Police allegedly assaulted Maran when they went to arrest Karunanidhi in the wee hours of Saturday.

Later he was admitted to the Apollo Hospital, where he was arrested on the charge of obstructing policemen on duty and remanded to custody.

He alleged that the swearing-in of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief J Jayalalithaa as chief minister despite being disqualified to contest polls was an example of violation of the Constitution.

On the police charge that it was he who had hit the policemen, Maran said, "I did not hit anybody. I was struggling for my life."

Asked about the next course of action, Maran said he would consult his advocates whether action could be initiated against police officers who had 'attacked and assaulted' him.

On his health he said he was feeling better now. Maran said he received blows just above the place where the pacemaker had been implanted.

Asked whether he was satisfied with the Centre's action in the aftermath of Karunanidhi's arrest, he said it was not a question of satisfaction as the Centre was moving step by step. It had not followed the footsteps of 'thoughtless action' of previous regimes, which used Article 356 over 100 times, he added.

On the Centre's decision to give a warning to the Tamil Nadu government, he said it was only a first step.

The Minister also said his arrest and the police assault on him would have a negative impact on the investors, affecting foreign investment in the country.